Chris

Christopher and his older brother, Pongo, were infants at a Florida tourist attraction and became the first orangutan residents at the sanctuary. Typically, adult male orangutans with full facial flanges (known as “cheekpadders”) would not tolerate another male in their territory, but since they grew up together, Chris and Pongo have a brotherly bond and still enjoy visiting each other as adults.

Nest-building is one of Christopher’s favorite activities. He will make nests with palm fronds, banana leaves, cardboard boxes, and fleece blankets. He also used to love wearing hats and would wear boxes, burlap bags, or buckets on his head. But as an adult male, he is much more reserved now. Even though he is the largest ape at the sanctuary (320 pounds!), he is one of the most gentle. He shares his habitat with his companion, Pebbles, who is a lively young female who keeps Chris on his toes.

Christopher’s birthday is October 11, 1992.

He likes to make tools and “modifies” toys and branches in order to reach food and objects outside of his habitat.

He is a very calm and watchful orangutan, and one of the heartiest eaters we have at the sanctuary; there isn’t a food he doesn’t like!